"You are inciting the people to deeds of violence. It is hardly an hour since one of his majesty's officers was foully murdered by you who call yourselves Regulators, and I demand that those who had any hand in that cowardly deed be delivered up to his excellency's guard, whereof I am temporarily in command."
"Whatever is the rascal talking about?" I heard General Hamilton mutter; but after Master Hunter had spoken with him, he looked around as if in search of some person.
I made bold to spur my horse forward a few paces, believing I understood what the general would have, and immediately he motioned me nearer.
"Have you that rascally tax-collector in your charge, my lad?"
"Aye, sir; that is to say, he was in our camp half an hour since."
"Bring him out here, and we will see if he's the man yonder popinjay prates about so loudly."
I rode back to our lean-to without loss of time, and once there called to Sandy.
He poked his head out from amid the brush like a turtle, and because of the pine needles which covered his face the best friend he had in the world would have failed to recognize him.
"The governor's troops have sent for you," I said curtly, intent only on performing my duty in the shortest possible space of time. "You are to come with me."
"I don't dare, lad, I don't dare!" he cried in an agony of terror. "You alone amid all this throng cannot protect me!"